Bayan Muna on PUV modernization: A disaster waiting to happen

 

MANILA, Philippines – The cancellation of the franchise of thousands of traditional jeepneys by December 31, 2023  “is a disaster waiting to happen,” with the government insisting on the implementation of the PUV modernization program despite the absence of rationalized or planned out routes, Bayan Muna told the Supreme Court (SC).

Bayan Muna, led by its chairman, Neri Colmenares, together with the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) filed an extremely urgent motion for a temporary restraining order before the SC.

The filing of the urgent motion stemmed from the LTFRB’s release of Memorandum Circular No. 2023-052 on Dec. 27 regarding the treatment of consolidated Transport Service Entity (TSE) and unconsolidated operations after Dec. 31 and in reference to the approved Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).

“We were all taken aback when LTFRB issued Circular 2023-52 a few days before the deadline with the fatal admission that there are many routes that still do not have a route rationalization plan or LPTRP. DOTR and LTFRB cannot just order jeepneys to modernize but still use obsolete old routes that have not been rationalized and planned out,” the petitioners said.

They explained that if the old routes are used, there will be routes with less or no PUVs available.

The petitioners told SC that data from DOTr as of Nov. 30 showed that 84,809 passenger utility jeepneys and 12,508 UVE (UV Express) units nationwide are consolidated through cooperative membership.

On the other hand, 64,639 public utility jeepneys and 6,756 UVEs are not consolidated and will be off the road by next year.

In Metro Manila, 31,058 traditional jeepneys have yet to be consolidated.

In the Cubao-Divisoria route alone, petitioners said, there are only 13 units of modern jeepneys operating while more than 100 traditional jeepneys will be phased out.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen not only for drivers and operators but also for millions of commuters whose income will be severely affected by their inability to go to work. The circular, in fact, now admits that it is unable to provide alternative transport when it allowed unconsolidated jeepneys in routes with less than 60% consolidation to transport passengers for a few months, creating more confusion and chaos,” petitioners said.

They urged the SC “to prevent this chaos and issue a TRO while it studies the petition and also order the DOTr and LTFRB to admit the true picture of their ill studied project and come out with the real facts.”

“Hindi magugunaw ang mundo kung i-suspend muna ang cancellation ng francise para makabyahe pa ang mga jeepney na unconsolidated. We also urge Pres. Marcos to suspend this scheme to deprive drivers and their families of livelihood to pursue a scheme that is untimely and ill prepared,” Colmenares said in a statement.

(The world will not end if the franchise cancellation is suspended to allow unconsolidated jeepneys to continue operating. We also urge President Marcos to halt this scheme, as it deprives drivers and their families of their livelihood in favor of a poorly timed and unprepared plan.)